A dip in the File on4 archive

Transcripts of File On 4 programmes are published here within two weeks of each broadcast. Transcripts are available for all programmes dating back to June 2004. There are also news reports for most programmes.

SUMMER 2010

Court of Protection 27 July 2010

A special court system is supposed to protect the interests of the vulnerable and the elderly. It's appointed thousands of 'deputies' - or guardians - to ensure their money is properly managed. The system was reformed three years ago - but have the changes worked?

There have been allegations the system is slow, bureaucratic and open to abuse. In some cases lawyers are appointed to oversee people's financial arrangements - and families claim they charge excessive fees. In other cases, it's a relative who's appointed as a deputy - but are there adequate safeguards to ensure they're not misappropriating the money? Fran Abrams investigates cases where the system has left some vulnerable people worse off.

When the tanker Exxon Valdez hit a reef in Alaska's Prince William Sound in 1989, the resulting oil spill became the worst in American history. Fisheries were closed and the local economy was undermined. Many said such a disaster should never again befall American coastal communities. Tankers were obliged to be constructed with a protective second skin, and the law was changed to give polluters the clear responsibility to pay for oil spills.

More than a hundred million gallons of oil have poured into the Gulf and a growing chorus of critics is asking why more preparations were not made for such a tragedy? Gerry Northam reports.

Britain claims to have one of the most effective arms export control regimes in the world, but Allan Urry investigates how weapons dealers are using the UK to get huge secret consignments to the Middle East and other conflict zones, in defiance of UN Security Council sanctions.

Lifting the lid on illegal London - welcome to a world of forged documents and faked identities. It is believed there are likely to be more than 200,000 illegal migrant workers in the UK's capital city. But how are they able to survive. How do they get work? In this special investigation, Jon Manel obtains rare access into the lives of some of London's illegal workers - lives often based on lies and deception. He discovers that some are now so much part of the system, they even pay tax and national insurance.

He hears of miserable and difficult times spent living in the shadows. But other illegal workers say they are making a bigger contribution than many who were born here. "I'm doing a job that most English persons wouldn't do. I think I've never seen an English person cleaning a toilet". And he goes to a well known part of London that owes its survival to the workers who shouldn't be here.

Is Britain's economic recovery going to be stifled by banks not offering sufficient finance to small and medium size companies?

Firms are concerned that although the banks say they are open for business the reality of the terms, conditions and fees make it unrealistic for them to apply for finance.

In frustration, some businesses have turned to foreign banks to make finance available to them.

And at a time when hi-tech businesses are seen as a source of future growth for the British economy, companies complain that banks are assessing loan applications using traditional business criteria which offer little support to this sector.

As the part state owned banks fail to meet lending targets set by the previous administration, the new Business Secretary Vince Cable says he is determined to address this. But in the current climate Morland Sanders asks how much more financial help can British business really expect?

Described as the modern-day face of slavery, scores of foreign workers are being brought into the UK to work in domestic servitude. They work long hours - often under physical duress and for low or non-existent pay. Jenny Cuffe investigates whether the authorities are doing enough to protect these workers - and to prosecute the people who've exploited them.

New research plays down claims of an epidemic of mental illness among soldiers who've served in Afghanistan. But do the official figures tell the full story? Julian O'Halloran investigates and speaks to veterans who warn of a huge hidden problem and a culture that still pressurises soldiers to get on with the job rather than seek help.

And he reports from The Netherlands on efforts there to discover the extent of the psychological damage their military personnel may be suffering.

As MPs and senior officials retire on 'gold-plated' pensions, the media report that public sector pension schemes are heading for crisis because of multi-billion pound funding deficits. Local Councils alone are said to face a black hole of £53bn, which critics claim can only be filled by drastic cuts in entitlements and increased contributions from staff.

Both Conservatives and Liberal Democrats are committed to reform of the system. Unions are planning a campaign to preserve their members' rights and have already secured a significant court victory blocking cuts to redundancy payments.

Gerry Northam looks behind the headlines and asks if there really is a looming pensions crisis.

The UK has some of the highest rates of stillbirths and early neonatal deaths in Europe.

There have been calls for improved care in hospital labour wards and an increase in research efforts to discover why so many apparently perfectly normal babies die.

However there is growing concern that in some hospitals, these deaths are not being properly investigated. Parents report difficulties in finding out full details of what went wrong. Shortages of specialist pathologists have meant that crucial post-mortem examinations are never carried out. And the inquest system is patchy when it comes to discovering the cause of a new born baby's death. Ann Alexander investigates.

The government is promising extra help for people out of work during the recession. But, as Britain braces itself for a rise in unemployment, Allan Urry reports from the communities already hardest hit and asks what redundant steelmakers, public sector workers and others joining the dole queue can really expect at the Jobcentre?

Around a third of all youngsters who have been abused are victims of other children and young people. Jackie Long investigates what is done to help young abusers stop offending and asks why so many are slipping through the net.

Five years ago the government promised to provide a safety net for when pension funds went bust, but this new scheme is already more than a billion pounds in deficit. Fran Abrams investigates allegations that some companies are simply dumping their obligations and leaving the Pensions Protection Fund - and in some cases the taxpayer - to pick up the bill.

As ministers decide whether a 12-billion-pound NHS computer project in England offers value for money, Gerry Northam asks if some major IT projects could be scrapped by a new government looking for big spending cuts.

CAFCASS, the family courts' advisory service, is again facing claims that it is failing the vulnerable children it is supposed to protect. Seven years after reporting that the organisation was in crisis, Jenny Cuffe returns to ask why the service is still facing a backlog of urgent cases and unprecedented delays.

After two big scandals in a year over dire standards in hospitals which put patients at serious risk, Julian O'Halloran asks how many people are still being killed by avoidable medical blunders, and how far the NHS has progressed since it began to address the problem ten years ago.

While Britain's top bankers celebrate their bonuses, Michael Robinson investigates the commercial property market and the nasty surprises that it may hold for the banks and for the long-suffering British taxpayers who bailed them out.

The government has pledged £150m to combat the threat of improvised explosive devices, which are now the biggest danger to British and other coalition troops in Afghanistan. But is the UK doing enough to tackle the increasing threat they pose? Allan Urry investigates.

A British drug company is being sued by more than 15,000 people in the United States who claim its bestselling antipsychotic drug caused severe weight gain, diabetes and other serious medical conditions. Ann Alexander investigates concerns about the way it was marketed and asks how much the public should be told about the drugs they take.

In 2009, 2,445 cases, including allegations of police brutality, deaths in custody and serious negligence, were referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission. But is it truly independent, and does its record over five years encourage public confidence? Gerry Northam investigates.

The Government's forensic science service is crucial to tackling crime but it is shedding hundreds of jobs and closing half of its laboratories in a drive to make the organisation more commercial. Fran Abrams investigates whether the aggressive cost cutting is beginning to hit the way the service operates and undermine criminal justice.

Earlier this year, US troops handed control for security in Iraq back to the Iraqi Government. It was supposed to be the first sign that normality was returning to the streets, so why are thousands of Iraqi refugees still refusing to return home. Kate Clark investigates.

With around 8,000 people waiting for an organ transplant in the UK, hospitals are having to use organs from the elderly, smokers, cancer sufferers and drug abusers. Gerry Northam examines the dilemmas posed for doctors and assesses the risks to transplant patients.

With record gold prices stimulating demand, Jenny Cuffe reports from the Democratic Republic of Congo on the scale illegal mining and asks whether the industry does enough to ensure that gold supplies are not being used to fund conflict.

Some of Britain's police forces are warning of a funding crisis, with staff cuts, stations closing and parts of the motorway network left unpatrolled. Allan Urry investigates whether the police could still do more to deliver better value from the money they get.

The head of the Financial Services Agency, Lord Turner has questioned the social usefulness of what banks do. But as he and other regulators wrestle with ways of controlling so-called "casino operations", Michael Robinson lifts the lid on the latest tricks of the trade which some banks are now using to increase their profits.

Fears over deep cuts in council jobs and services have brought prediction of a winter of discontent and strife unlike anything seen for 30 years. But as councils prepare to wield the axe, Julian O'Halloran asks if some authorities have added to their crises through over-the-top pay, perks and severance terms they have awarded to their own top executives.

Following criticism of the NHS earlier this month over the Fsystem failures which allowed a man with schizophrenia to kill two people, Miriam O'Reilly investigates claims of widespread problems in community mental health services which are allowing dangerous patients to commit violent offences or to harm themselves.

As the Government's strategy for combating extremism is revised to focus on white racist groups as well as Islamic radicals, Allan Urry assesses the threat of attacks by right wing extremists and fears they could lead to a rise in racial tensions.

As evidence continues to emerge about the CIA's secret detention and interrogation programme, calls grow on this side of the Atlantic for an inquiry into claims that Britain colluded in the torture of suspects. Stephen Grey investigates the relationship between the US and the UK security services in the "hidden war on terror."

Fraud is estimated to cost the UK economy upwards of £14bn a year, a figure which is expected to rise dramatically during the recession. Gerry Northam investigates whether some of the biggest and most audacious corporate fraudsters are now practically immune from prosecution.

Following a series of blunders by the justice authorities, who left a dangerous criminal free to torture and murder two French students in London, Allan Urry asks whether government ministers can still justify their claim that Britain's system of public protection from violent offenders and sex abusers is among the best in the world.

With payouts in clinical negligence cases expected top reach a record £700m next year, Miriam O'Reilly investigates the way no-win, no-fee lawyers are allowed to charge up to £800 an hour bringing claims against the NHS, enabling many law firms to earn substantially more in fees than their clients receive in damages.

The government's flagship policy for public investment, the Private Finance Initiative, has always relied on big loans from banks. But now, as lenders demand far more for their money, Michael Robinson investigates disturbing increases in the cost of building our schools, hospitals and roads.

In today's economic climate, does PFI represent value for money for hard-pressed taxpayers?

As the recession leads to rocketing unemployment, apprentices and local college students have been hit by a dramatic cash crisis in the Government Agency that oversees their training. Gerry Northam investigates allegations of incompetence and neglect in the England's biggest quango, The Learning and Skills Council.

The Swine Flu virus that has hit Britain and dozens more countries has caused panic and scores of deaths in Mexico. But where did it come from? Julian O'Halloran investigates claims that industrial pig farms in the USA played a key role in exposing us to the threat of a global pandemic.

With the UK jobless total now topping more than 2.1m people, the Government says it is tightening the immigration rules to help preserve British jobs for British workers. But Jenny Cuffe asks if the policy is being undermined by employers who are intent on bringing in overseas workers as a way of driving down pay.

In the first of a new series Allan Urry investigates more claims of bad behaviour by bankers and follows the David and Goliath struggle of a group of small business owners now battling to force one of the high street giants to take responsibility for the decisions they say left them in ruins.

Criminals are "stealing" houses from under their owners' noses and getting away with the proceeds by exploiting the way information is made available. Critics say it calls into question the state's ability to protect property rights. Are inadequate safeguards contributing to the theft of millions of pounds. Shari Vahl investigates.

Local authorities are struggling to balance the books because of the economic downturn. At a time when councils say they are forced to lay off thousands of staff, why have some councils invested £1bn of taxpayers cash in banks which have crashed with no sign of getting their money back. Allan Urry reports on a crisis in town hall finances.

The Royal Military Police comes under judicial scrutiny next month after concerns abut the quality and independence of their investigations into civilian deaths in Iraq. Simon Cox examines the RMP's recording in dealing with alleged crimes by UK forces both during operations and peacetime.

Efforts to protect children from abuse are intensifying but have some safety measures gone too far? Julian O'Halloran investigates claims that over-reaction by schools to minor incidents or unproven allegations is wrecking the careers of hundreds of innocent teachers.

As Zimbabwe's economic collapse continues, File On 4 asks whether the sanctions imposed by Britain and Europe are adequate to stop wealth being channelled out of the country by people close to the Mugabe government.

As Gordon Brown stuggles to bolster British banks and stave off economic depression, Michael Robinson investigates the legacy of toxic lending and reveals why the threat it poses to UK jobs, homes and incomes is especially acute.

The Arab world's elder statesman President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt was centre stage in the attempt to end the crisis in Gaza. But what role did Egypt play behind the scenes in the build up to war? And how will its octogenarian leader weather mounting criticism at home and abroad. Lucy Ash reports.

The NHS is under pressure to cut its £11bn annual spend on buying drugs but has the hunt for cheaper alternatives opened the door to dangerous counterfeits? As Britain's GP's, hospitals and high street chemists are targeted by criminal syndicates selling cheap fakes disguised as life saving medicines, Allan Urry asks how they have penetrated a supply chain which is supposed to be safe.

With a record number of companies expected to go into administration or bankruptcy this year, Julian O'Halloran examines Britain's insolvency laws and asks whether weaknesses in regulation and enforcement are being exploited by some company directors to dispose of debts unfairly.

As the credit squeeze goes on tightening, repossessions are rocketing and businesses are running out of cash. The Prime Minister has instructed banks to keep funds flowing but with lenders increasingly desperate, can this initiative cut the rise of evictions and unemployment? Michael Robinson investigates.

Britain is spending millions of pounds on grassroots projects to prevent violent extremism taking root in muslim communities. But is it an effective use of money? Amardeep Bassey investigates fears that some of the funds may be ending up with groups promoting an extremist agenda.

Professional football is in the red with Premier League clubs alone owing £3bn. The governing bodies in England and Europe want action and the government has called for a review of financial regulation in the game. Simon Cox investigates how football has got into such a mess and asks who the next casualties will be.

Why are growing numbers of Afghan veterans and other ex-soldiers failing to cope with life outside the army? With estimates that as many as one in 10 people in prison now have army backgrounds, Allan Urry investigates claims that the NHS is still failing to deal with soldiers traumatised by war.

Georgia's summer war put East-West relations back in the freezer, but who fired the first shot and could the fighting have been avoided? Reporting from the world's newest and most contested border, Tim Whewell gathers first hand evidence of the countdown to the conflict and assesses its impact on leaders in Washington, Moscow and Tiblisi.

As millions of families struggle to pay rocketing gas and electricity bills, suppliers blame prices on forces beyond their control. But Julian O'Halloran hears claims that our bills may be hundreds of pounds too high due to weak regulation, bad planning and a market dominated by just six big companies.

Hundreds of lawsuits are being filed in the USA by banks and financial institutions arguing over who is to blame for the crisis in the global financial markets. Michael Robinson investigates and reveals what those legal documents tell us about the banking system and the effectiveness of our regulators.

Allan Urry examines the case for linking animal cruelty with child abuse, amid concerns from organisations such as the RSPCA and the NSPCC that offenders may be more likely to commit both crimes. Is this a breakthrough for those who investigate such serious and sensitive allegations, or a new "Satanic Panic"?

While Britain's hospitals struggle to contain the spread of MRSA, Jenny Cuffe reports on a new and potentially deadly strain of the bacteria that attacks children and young people in the community. Experts warn that without Government action, the death roll will continue to rise.

In 1948, the post-war Labour Government set up the Colonial Development Corporation, a tax-payers' fund to promote industry and agriculture in the poorest parts of the Empire. Sixty years on, today's Labour Government denies suggestions that it wants to privatise the agency, but its critics say the CDC is increasingly concerned with making profits rather than relieving poverty. Gerry Northam reports. Producer: Andy Denwood. Editor: David Ross

Britain's towns and cities are relying on building shops and apartments to regenerate run-down areas. But the credit crunch and falling property values have forced some developers to abandon their plans, leaving the local authority partners unable to develop key sites. Allan Urry investigates the impact of the economic downturn on urban regeneration. Producer: Ian Muir-Cochrane. Editor: David Ross

Blood transfusions have been carried out for more than a century but Lesley Curwen investigates growing concerns that many are unnecessary and could do more harm than good to patients. Producer: Paul Grant. Editor: David Ross

After last year's record opium crop in Afghanistan, counter narcotics is a top priority for Britain and the Afghan Government. Over the last year, Kate Clark has had rare access to the fight against a trade which fuels corruption and insecurity and bankrolls the Taliban. She asks just how effective these efforts can be. Producer: David Lewis. Editor: Lynne Jones

Tens of thousands of elderly patients suffering dementia are given powerful psychiatric drugs they do not need. The side effects can be devastating and even fatal. Gerry Northam investigates. Producer: Jane Beresford. Editor: David Ross.

Fears about energy security and rocketing gas prices have caused electricity generators to press for a new wave of coal-fired power stations. But as Julian O'Halloran, reports the "roll for coal" - turning the clock back half a century - is causing splits in Whitehall, anguish among climate change campaigners and fury among families living in the shadow of vast new open cast coal mines. Producer: Samantha Fenwick. Editor: David Ross.

Later this month, money-laundering experts from all over the world gather in London to review progress in the financial war against terrorism. But after the recent High Court ruling that the Government's powers to freeze suspects' assets are unlawful, are the authorities falling behind on a crucial front? Fran Abrams, investigates. Producer: Rob Cave. Editor: David Ross.

Being Capital of Culture should be a boom for Liverpool Liverpool's £4bn regeneration programme is one of the biggest in Europe. This year the city is also celebrating its status as European Capital of Culture. It should be a boom time so why is Liverpool City Council, the area's biggest employer, mired in mounting debts and rated by government auditors as the worst performer in the country. Allan Urry reports. Producer: Paul Grant. Editor: David Ross.

Politically explosive rises in the price of food, oil and metals are mostly blamed on growing demand from China and India. But is that the true cause or are commodity prices being inflated by a dangerous new speculative bubble? Michael Robinson investigates a new potential threat to the world's already weakened financial system. Producer: Ian Muir-Cochrane. Editor: David Ross.

Following the chaos at Heathrow's new Terminal 5 in which thousands of people were left without their luggage, this special edition of File On 4 investigates what went wrong and examines the record of BAA, the company that runs some of our biggest airports. Reporter: Julian O'Halloran. Producer: David Lewis. Editor: David Ross.

Platinum is an essential component of catalytic converters that clean up car emissions - it is now twice the price of gold. Yet as mining companies rush to exploit South Africa's reserves, traditional farmers complain they are being forced off their ancestral lands. Angus Stickler investigates. Producer: Andy Denwood. Editor: David Ross.

BBC Home Affairs Correspondent Danny Shaw examines some of the Government's proposals to deal with prison overcrowding and reports from Fleury-Merogis, Europe's largest prison, just south of Paris. Producer: Gaetan Portal. Editor: David Ross.

When a new compensation scheme for wounded soldiers began in 2005, they and their families hoped that payments would start to match the sums paid out to victims of crime. However as Julian O'Halloran reports the number of troops who are eligible for such awards has been drastically cut to the point where some of those injured in Iraq may get nothing. Producer: Julia Rooke. Editor: David Ross.

The Government is devolving more and more responsibilities to England's nine regional development agencies, but how do we know how well they are performing? Allan Urry asks whether their record stands up to critics who accuse them of being unaccountable, out of touch and poor value for money for their £2bn budget. Producer: Jenny Chryss. Editor: David Ross.

With attention focussed on Islamist extremism, Amardeep Bassey asks whether the authorities are doing enough to counter the activities of UK-based Sikh groups supporting the violent campaign for an independent homeland in the Punjab. Producer: David Lewis. Editor: David Ross.

Britain's town halls are now facing wage reviews and thousands of claims for back pay from women workers who had been earning less than their male counterparts. But how are cash strapped local authorities going to meet the potential bill of £2.8bn. Jenny Cuffe reports. Producer: Liz Carney, Editor: David Ross.

After the rail chaos of the New Year, caused by overrunning maintenance, Julian O'Halloran investigates Network Rail's performance on track maintenance and renewal. He assesses criticisms of its record on safety checks designed to prevent train crashes and derailments. Producer: Rob Cave, Editor: David Ross.

As the investigations continue into the cause of the blaze at the Royal Marsden Hospital in London, one of the world's leading cancer treatment centres, File On 4's Allan Urry asks whether fire safety standards in Britain's Hospitals are good enough. Producer: Andy Denwood, Editor: David Ross.

Five years after Lord Laming's damning inquiry into the death of Victoria Climbie, Andrew Bomford asks why are so may children still dying at the hands of their parents or carers. The Laming Report called for a major reform of the way child abuse cases are handled, so how much has really changed?

Research on cancer cells is at the cutting edge of medical science but is the development of some new treatments being set back by a failure to take basic precautions in the laboratory. Gerry Northam investigates.

America wants to shut its controversial prison camp at Guantanamo Bay. Jon Manel examines the problems it faces and examines claims that the USA is already breaking international law by sending detainees to countries where they may be tortured and abused.

How did the troubles of what was an obscure building society, only 10 years ago, nearly bring Britain's financial system to its knees? Robert Peston, The BBC's Business Editor, who was first to break the news of Northern Rock's emergency approach to the Bank of England, investigates who and what was to blame for the cataclysmic events.

With America's Presidential election year about to begin, a case of alleged racial injustice and white supremacist provocation in the Deep South has ignited a wave of protest and fury evoking the civil rights struggles of the 1960s. Julian O'Halloran reports from the United States on the deep cracks and tensions which have been dramatically exposed.

Have we underestimated the impact of crack cocaine as it spreads across Britain's towns and cities? Allan Urry reports from the front line on the violence of gangs who deal in crack, the police effort to tackle the organised crime behind it and the rise in children taken into care because of the reckless behaviour of addicts.

Billions of pounds are allocated for regeneration projects in the UK but does the government keep proper track on how this money is spent? The European Commission has stopped some payments, arguing that large sums remain unaccounted for. Gerry Northam investigates.

New research suggests the number of work related cancers could be as high as 24,000 a year rather than the 6,000 occupational cancer deaths given by officials estimates. Tim Whewell investigates whether the Health and Safety Executive is doing enough to prevent work related cancers.

As American house prices are hit by a flood of defaults on home loans, Michael Robinson lifts the lid on British mortgages to examine growing concerns about unchecked borrowing and the potential danger for the housing market here.

File on 4:MPs recently condemned the misery and abuse suffered by elderly people in care. In the first of a new series Allan Urry investigates cases of elder abuse which highlight the continuing failure to police residential and nursing homes properly and asks why is it so difficult to get redress when things go wrong?

File on 4:The Government is expected to issue the first tenders for its controversial ID card scheme, which ministers say will combat fraud and terrorism but with the technology untested and costs rising, Sarak Spiller asks, is it set to become another IT disaster?

File on 4:Ministers believe investment not poverty is the way to lift developing countries out of poverty. So when you buy Kenyan roses in a supermarket you are helping that countries struggling economy - or are you? Fran Abrams reports.

File on 4:Government minister Margaret Hodge claims some economic migrants are allowed to jump the queue for council housing. Gerry Northam reports on how the system works and asks if local people are losing out?

File on 4:With Britain in the middle of a construction boom, Julian O'Halloran investigates claims of cartels and price rigging and assesses how much such practices are adding to the final bills paid by UK plc.

File On 4: As the death toll continues to grow in Afghanistan the mismanagement of donor aid is threatening the stability of the country. The issue threatens to destabilise the government of President Hamid Karzai, three years into his five year term and the main beneficiaries could be members of the former Taleban regime. Kate Clark investigates the growing crisis.

File On 4:With Gordon Brown heading for 10 Downing Street one of his key schemes, the Private Finance Initiative, is showing signs of strain. Is more than £100 billion on projects such as schools and hospitals being wisely spent? In the NHS there is a fear that PFI involvement skews the distribution of resources. While in Education projects are slow to start. File On 4's Gerry Northam reports.

Are we cooling global warming?: Tuesday 5 June 2007 File On 4 As anxiety grows over climate change the Government is backing attempts to cut greenhouse gas emissions through carbon trading or to cancel them out through "green" schemes abroad. Yet with one strategy having added hundreds of millions of pounds to Britain's electricity bills, Julian O'Halloran asks are such mechanisms having any real impact on global warming?

What future for the Royal Navy? : Tuesday, 29 May 2007File On 4 An official inquiry is underway into the humiliating capture of British sailors in the Gulf by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard. Yet in the background there are questions over the role and scope of the senior service. The UK's soldiers have seen comparatively more action than the its sailors in the 25 years since the Falklands Task Force set sail. Analysts are asking is the Royal Navy still a credible fighting force? File On 4's Allan Urry investigates the effects of budget cuts on Britain's senior service.

Guns and gangs - a tale of two Manchesters. : Tuesday, 27 March 2007File On 4 Concern about teenage gangs and gun crime in Britain has reached new heights following recent killings in the London area of Peckham and Manchester's Moss Side. Allan Urry visits Manchester, USA, where a wide range of initiatives are being used to drive youngsters away from gangs, and asks do they have something to teach their British counterparts?

Abuse of trust? : Tuesday, 20 March 2007File On 4 How well are Britain's most vulnerable adults protected from abuse by those paid to care for them? Gerry Northam investigates recent cases where the system failed.

Tackling the bird flu threat : Tuesday, 13 March 2007File On 4 In the wake of the bird flu outbreak at the Bernard Matthews turkey plant in Norfolk, Jenny Cuffe reports on the global march of the disease and the continuing efforts to combat the threat.

The drugs' war own goal : Tuesday, 6 March 2007File On 4 tells the inside story of Britain's dirty war against drugs. Why did a controversial policy of using major drug dealers as informants do so little to stem the flow of drugs onto our streets?

Bugging the terrorists: Tuesday, 21 November 2006File On 4 asks what can bugging and surveillance tell the authorities about terrorists and major criminals, and how much of it should be used as evidence in court?

Chad: Tuesday, 28 March, 2006File on 4 asks whether three years of international diplomacy has done anything to ease the plight of refugees from Darfur or to halt the violence of the marauding militias.

Miscarriages of justice: Tuesday, 29 November, 2005File on 4 asks whether the courts still favour expert evidence - even if it may be wrong - over the word of parents who say they have been falsely accused of harming their children.

In failing health? The inside story of the W.H.O. : Part 2 - Tuesday, 6 September, 2005 Allan Urry asks how well the World Health Organisation - created in 1948 - is measuring up to the new challenges of a new century.

Balkan war crimes: Tuesday, 5 July, 2005File on 4 examines the failure of the international community to bring to trial on charges of genocide the former leader of the Bosnian Serbs, Radovan Karadzic, and the implications it has for the fragile peace in Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Iraq reconstruction funds: Tuesday, 1 February, 2005File on 4 investigates allegations that much of Iraq's oil wealth has been squandered by incompetence and corruption during American and British rule.

Military deaths: Tuesday, 7 December, 2004File on 4 investigates military deaths in Iraq, examining claims that the MoD has been covering up its own failings and shifting the blame onto frontline troops.

Chemical testing: Tuesday, 16 November, 2004File on 4 assesses the latest scientific research and asks how much we really know about the long term risks from some of the substances that are contained in almost everything we buy.

Paedophile rings: Tuesday, 9 November, 2004File on 4 investigates one of Britain's biggest paedophile rings to find out how a schoolboy was abducted from his parents and "sold" to abusers across the country.